SCHOLARS AT BLACKSTONE VALLEY PREP MAYORAL ACADEMY
Cumberland, RI- The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) released scores today for all students tested last October in grades 3-8 and 11 using the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP).
Scholars at Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) Mayoral Academy surpass the state NECAP averages in every content and every grade level— by double digits in half of the grades and contents tested. BVP scholars who identify as Latino also scored proficient or better by an average of 30 percentage points higher than their peers statewide.
Eighth grade scholars scored 37 percentage points higher than the state average in mathematics. Latino BVP eighth graders performed 57 percentage points higher than the state average for Latinos.
When told the results, Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee, BVP’s Board Chair, referenced UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, saying, «‘Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.’ If the team at BVP, including our scholars and families, continue to truly do their very best, that is all we can ask for. So far, their best has proven to be exceptional.»
BVP was recently in the news when Middle School math teacher Marielle Emet won a 2013 National Milken Educator Award. Earlier in the year, an art teacher at the same school, Michelle Turner, also earned the distinction of RI Art Educator of the Year.
“There are many reasons for the success of our scholars, among them the fact that we are proud to have some of the best teachers in the country,” said Executive Director Jeremy Chiappetta. “It also has to do with the fact that our scholars have rigorous art and music programs. They are not only benefitting from the creativity aspect, but also learning the importance of being able to make connections. It means that a scholar is learning academic content in Ms. Emet’s class and also in RI Elementary Art Co-Teacher of the Year Mrs. Turner’s class– the reinforcement is key, but engagement and real-world application are also very important factors.”
With great teachers and results comes high demand for enrollment. This year already, BVP has received 1658 applications for 189 seats. The lottery application deadline is February 21.
“We are proud of our scholars’ NECAP results, but we don’t want to overlook that fact that there are so many other accomplishments that define what it means to be a BVP scholar and not just a student,” said Kyle Quadros, Elementary School 1 Head of School. “For example, our third and fourth graders are part of the only strings program that exists in Rhode Island.
We have several scholars who are not yet ten years old learning how to play the cello. Our scholars and families are helping to feed the hungry by participating in food drives over their winter break and engaging in community service. That is what it means to be a BVP scholar.”
For further information and to view the full NECAP results, please visit our website at www.blackstonevalleyprep.org.